Today, on 10th December, the Supreme Court has expanded the SIT probe into the NOIDA compensation scam, directing investigators to examine the role of former CEOs and senior officials. The Court also extended the investigation deadline by two months for completion.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into allegations of inflated compensation payments for land acquired in NOIDA to also investigate former chief executive officers and other senior officials who have led the authority in the last 10 to 15 years.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh extended the SIT’s timeline by two months for completing the investigation.
They acknowledged the latest status report submitted by the SIT, which had requested an additional three months. The bench clarified that the inquiry focuses on alleged connivance and collusion by officials, rather than penalizing farmers who received more compensation than they were entitled to.
Also Read: Supreme Court Forms SIT to Probe Corruption Allegations in NOIDA Land Compensation Case
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing one of the farmers who received higher compensation, informed the court that the SIT had issued notices summoning his client for questioning. He urged the bench to ensure the protection of farmers, asserting that the situation was not their fault.
The bench reiterated its earlier statement that the investigation is not to harass the farmers, but to uncover collusion between the beneficiaries and NOIDA officials that led to inflated payouts. They confirmed that no coercive action will be taken against farmers.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing NOIDA, indicated that he would file an affidavit to present the authority’s position.
Earlier, On August 13, the Supreme Court had ordered the SIT to investigate allegations that NOIDA officials colluded with builders to provide compensation to landowners significantly above their legal entitlements.
The court accepted the initial SIT findings, noting prima facie evidence in the claims, and directed that the recommendations be submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, including a proposal to transform NOIDA into a “metropolitan council.”
Taking serious note of these findings, the Supreme Court constituted a new SIT consisting of three senior IPS officers to examine bank accounts, assets, and other financial activities of officials and beneficiaries, with assistance from forensic auditors and economic offences experts.
The court instructed the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police to form the SIT and initiate immediate preliminary inquiries into the concerns raised by the previous investigation.
Earlier, On January 23, the court outlined four specific inquiries for the SIT, whether compensation paid exceeded permissible amounts under judicial orders; which officials authorized or facilitated such payments; whether there was collusion between officials and beneficiaries; and whether NOIDA’s operations lacked transparency and fairness in serving the public interest.
The court added that if prima facie evidence of a cognizable offence is found, the SIT must register a case and act according to the law.
To facilitate the investigation and enhance governance, the Supreme Court issued several directives: the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary must appoint a chief vigilance officer (preferably an IPS officer or a representative from the CAG) in the coming weeks; a citizen advisory board for NOIDA must be established; no projects in NOIDA should advance without an environmental impact assessment and clearance from the Supreme Court’s green bench; and where prior sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act is needed, competent authorities must provide it within two weeks.
The decision to appoint a court-mandated SIT on January 23 came after the bench expressed dissatisfaction with a state-appointed committee investigating the allegations of illegal compensation.
This case emerged during hearings of anticipatory bail applications filed by the authority’s legal advisor and a law officer, both accused of facilitating the release of substantial wrongful compensation to certain landowners.
The investigation is ongoing, with the SIT now tasked to broaden its inquiry to include NOIDA’s senior leadership from the past decade and beyond.
